Forgotten farms of Gjørvel's estate in Båhus fief
NRR 4, s. 189 f. · 18. mars 1607 · København
What the letter says
In Copenhagen on 18 March 1607 King Christian IV writes to Steen Matsson [Laxmand] at Båhus. The king has learned that some farms of the late Lady Gjørvel Fadersdatter's estate lie in Båhus fief: a farm in Kjøberød, Hofven, Staren, Hee and Bordal, which a burgher of Uddevalla uses. The farms were not in the deed she gave the king for all her property south of the mountains, and no one has taken them over since her death. Steen is to take them in under the castle and account for the income, but they are not to be entered in the rent roll until the king has made his will known.
The letter in modern English
Steen Matsson [Laxmand] at Båhus received a letter to take over some property there under the castle, as follows. Christian IV. Our favour first. Know that we have graciously learned that the following farms of the late Lady Gjørvel's [that is Gjørvel Fadersdatter Gyldensparre's] estate are said to lie there in Båhus fief, with which you are graciously enfeoffed: a farm in Kjøberød, where Anders Haagensson lives, pays yearly 3 pund of butter, further Hofven, where Jakob N. lives, pays yearly 6 pund of butter, Staren, where Jon lives, pays 1 pund of butter, Hee, where Olaf lives, pays 1 pund of butter, and Bordal, which Jørgen Reiersson, burgher of our market town of Uddevalla, has in use, pays yearly 2 daler. They are not entered in the deed she gave us for all her property south of the mountains in our realm of Norway, nor has anyone taken over these farms and property since her passing. We therefore ask you to take this property in under the castle and each year give us a proper account of its fixed and variable income. The property is nevertheless not to be entered in the rent roll until you learn our further gracious will and declaration on it. Copenhagen, 18 March 1607.
Original text
Steen Matssøn [Laxmand] paa Baahuus fik Brev, noget Gods der under Slottet at annamme, ut sequitur. C. IV. V. G. t. Vid, eftersom vi naadigst komme udi Forfaring, hvorledes disse efternævnte Gaarde af afgangne Fru Giørilds [o: Gyrvild Fadersdatter Gyldensparres] Gods, som er en Gaard udi Kjøberød, Anders Haagenssøn ibor, skylder aarligen 3 Pund Smør, nok Hofven, Jakob N. ibor, skylder aarligen 6 Pd. Smør, Staren, som Jon ibor, skylder 1 Pd. Smør, Hee, Olaf ibor, skylder 1 Pd. Smør, Bordal, som
Background
Gjørvel died on 20 April 1605. The letter shows that she had given the king a separate deed for all her property south of the mountains, probably the deed of 1586, and that some farms had been left out of the list. Båhus fief is today Bohuslän in Sweden, but belonged to Norway until 1658. Uddevalla was the market town of the fief. That the king did not want the farms entered in the rent roll at once may mean that he was waiting to see whether heirs would make claims. That is an inference.
People: Gjørvel Fadersdatter (Sparre)